The vast majority of UK event venues are predicting a positive end to the year for business, according to a new survey.

‘Future Trends in Meetings and Accommodation’ from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) reveals that 83 per cent of venues are optimistic about the trading outlook for the rest of 2013.

A total of 83 per cent predicted the same for 2014, providing an indication that more companies will look to find venues for hire in order to host large-scale gatherings next year.

Conducted in association with Conference Centres of Excellence and the Hotel Booking Agents Association (HBAA), the survey also lifted the lid on some of the challenges faced by venues in 2013.

According to meetpie.com, 80 per cent of the respondents said Britain’s weak economic recovery would be the biggest barrier to their growth. Skills shortages among staff was also named as a major concern, along with increased competition due to an over supply of venues.

The findings were revealed by Liz Hall, head of hospitality and leisure research at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), at the HBBA’s Made to Measure Forum on 5-6 September.

Held at London’s Twickenham Stadium, the event welcomed a record-breaking 350 delegates, who were treated to two days of networking and education sessions from industry experts.